Electronic device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device comprising a front cover which covers a front face excluding an aperture of an apparatus in a fixed state to the apparatus, a barrier cover configured to cover the aperture, an attachment unit which attaches the barrier cover to the front cover so that the barrier cover can move, and a locking unit that locks the front cover in a forward protruding state when the barrier cover is in an open state, attachment unit positions the barrier cover at a first position when the barrier cover is in a closed state, and guides the barrier cover to a second position protruding forward from the front cover, and then guides the barrier cover to a third position at which the barrier cover is locked by the locking unit, and moving the barrier cover from the third position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an electronic device having a barriercover that can open and close.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a compact electronic device having precision parts inside, such as acamera, to protect the internal mechanisms when carried around in anon-usage state, an openable and closable barrier cover that covers theexternal face of the device is provided to protect and prevent dust fromentering. Such an openable and closable barrier cover often also playsother important roles, such as maintaining the aesthetics of the deviceand increasing the design quality.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-121903 discusses a devicein which a barrier cover can maintain a stable attached state withoutrising up from the camera external surface, because the barrier cover isconstantly supported across a broad width in a sliding direction byupper and lower rails.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-185102 discusses a devicethat is designed so that when the barrier cover is at an open position,the barrier cover latches onto a latching claw provided on a camerafront face so that it does not rise up.

Although the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 2003-121903 has excellent stability, the barrier cover rises abovethe camera surface even at a closed position. The sliding section isconstantly exposed to the external side, which tends to harm aesthetics.Further, when external pressure is applied, the sliding section tends tobreak. In addition, dust and foreign objects can easily enter thesliding section, which harms the sliding action of the barrier cover. Inaddition, a detection unit for detecting that the barrier cover has beenopened can be seen when the barrier cover is open, so that theappearance quality deteriorates.

Further, in the method discussed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 9-185102, since the barrier cover is supported by only apinion shaft, rattling tends to occur due to the barrier cover wobblingabout the gear shaft. Consequently, when the barrier cover is fullyopen, the barrier cover tends to rise up onto the latching claw, whichis for preventing rising up. Further, the mechanism is complex and thenumber of parts is large, which makes this method unsuitable forreducing the size of a device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a device or a method capable ofincreasing the integrated feeling of a barrier cover and a front coverin a closed state, and that can be strong against external pressure.

According to an aspect of the disclosed herein, an electronic deviceincludes a front cover configured to cover a front face and excluding anaperture of an apparatus in a fixed state to the apparatus, a barriercover movable between an open state and a close state and configured tocover the aperture, an attachment unit configured to attach the barriercover to the front cover so the barrier cover moves in a forwarddirection and in a lateral direction, and a locking unit configured tolock the front cover in a forward protruding state when the barriercover is in an open state, wherein the attachment unit is configured toposition the barrier cover at a first position forming a continuous facewith the front cover when the barrier cover is in a closed state, andguide the barrier cover to a second position protruding forward from thefront cover resulting from an application of an external force on thebarrier cover in a forward direction, guiding the barrier cover to athird position at which the barrier cover is locked by the locking unit,and moving the barrier cover from the third position in the lateraldirection.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features,and aspects of the disclosure and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are external views illustrating a camera accordingto a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the first exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 3A1, 3A2, 3B1, 3B2, 3C1 and 3C2 illustrate operation of a barriercover and a shaft.

FIGS. 4A1, 4A2, 4B1, 4B2, 4C1, and 4C2 are rear views illustratingoperation of a barrier cover and a shaft.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D are perspective views illustrating barriercover movement.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are cross-sectional views illustrating barriercover movement.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are external views illustrating a camera accordingto a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the second exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a camera according to a third exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a shaft in detail.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged exploded views of the third exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view illustrating a switch and itsvicinity.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13B′, 13C, 13C′ and 13D illustrate state changes in theoperation of a switch.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart illustrating the operation timing of a switch.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart illustrating the operation timing of a switchand a lens unit.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate a barrier cover in detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects will be describedin detail below with reference to the drawings.

A first exemplary embodiment will now be described. FIGS. 1A to 1C areexternal views of a camera 1 according to the first exemplary embodimentof the imaging apparatus according to the present invention. The camera1 has a horizontally long, flat shape as illustrated in the trihedralfigure of FIGS. 1A to 1C, and when viewed from the side, has a frontface 1 a that curves in an arc-shape like in FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the camera 1. A front cover 2,which is formed from a resin material, covers a front half section ofthe camera 1. The front cover 2 includes long-dimension bearings 2 a and2 b, long-dimension bearing entrances 2 c and 2 d, a lens aperture 2 e,and guide grooves 2 f and 2 g, which are in communication with thelong-dimension bearings 2 a and 2 b. Next, a front metal piece 3, whichis formed by drawing sheet metal of stainless steel, for example, isadhered to and made to cover a front face of the front cover 2. Abeveled face 3 a slants toward the lens aperture 2 e of the front cover2.

Next, shafts 4 and 5 are attached to the front cover 2 so that a barriercover can move in a forward and a lateral direction. The shafts 4 and 5,which have the same shape, are positioned at an upper and a lower edgeof the front cover 2 and the barrier cover. Further, the shafts 4 and 5are a rod material that has a circular cross-section formed from thesame material. The shafts 4 and 5 are bent at folded-back sections 4 cand 5 c to form a shape that is roughly like the letter “J”, so that thelong-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a and short-dimension shaftmembers 4 b and 5 b are positioned parallel to each other. The terms“long-dimension” and short-dimension” used throughout this specificationmay be understood by the skilled artisan to mean having a longerdimension, or length, and having a shorter dimension, or length,respectively. Fastening grooves 4 d and 5 d are provided at the tips ofthe long-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a.

The long-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a of the shafts 4 and 5 areinserted into the long-dimension bearings 2 a and 2 b of the front cover2 so that they are supported in a manner that allows them to slide in alateral direction. Fastening rings 6 and 7 are inserted into thefastening grooves 4 d and 5 d that peep from the guide grooves 2 f and 2g. Consequently, the shafts 4 and 5 can be attached in a state thatallows them to rotate around the long-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5a with respect to the front cover 2, and slide, in the axis direction, adistance calculated by subtracting the length of the long-dimensionbearings 2 a and 2 b from the length from the folded-back sections 4 cand 5 c to the fastening rings 6 and 7.

FIGS. 3A1 to 3C1 are front views in which the shafts 4 and 5 areattached to the front cover 2. FIGS. 3A2 to 3C2 are side views in whichthe shafts 4 and 5 are attached to the front cover 2. For ease ofdescription, these drawings illustrate a half cutaway view of the lensaperture 2 e. The shafts 4 and 5 is rotatable as illustrated in FIGS.3A1, 3A2, 3B1, and 3B2 when the short-dimension shaft members 4 b and 5b have been slid over to the front face side of the lens aperture 2 e bythe action of a below-described locking mechanism. Further, the shafts 4and 5 is slidable as illustrated in FIGS. 3B1, 3B2, 3C1, and 3C2 whenthe shaft members 4 b and 5 b have been rotated to rise from the frontcover 2. This will be described in more detail below.

Next, a barrier cover 8, which is formed from an elastic resin material,covers the front face of the lens aperture 2 e so that it can open andclose. The overall barrier cover 8 forms an arc shape with the samecurved face as the front cover 2 when viewed from the side face in aclosed state, and short-dimension bearings 8 a and 8 b are providedthereto. Springs 9 and 10 are inserted into the short-dimension bearings8 a and 8 b, and the short-dimension shaft members 4 b and 5 b of theshafts 4 and 5 are also inserted therein. Next, the shafts 4 and 5 areregulated by a stopper member 11 so that the shafts 4 and 5 do notdisengage from the short-dimension bearings 8 a and 8 b by being pressedby the springs 9 and 10. The stopper member 11 is formed from a resinmaterial and has an overall arc-shaped structure similar to the barriercover 8. An attachment claw 8 c of the barrier cover 8 catches on anattachment portion 11 a, and is bonded and fixed thereto.

The locking mechanism (locking means) of the shafts 4 and 5 to thebarrier cover 8 will now be described. FIGS. 4A1 to 4C2 are rear viewsin which the shafts 4 and 5 are attached to the barrier cover 8.Although normally the springs 9 and 10 cannot be seen because they arein the short-dimension bearings 8 a and 8 b, for illustrative purposesthe springs 9 and 10 are shown. First, FIGS. 4A1 and 4A2 illustrate astate when the barrier cover 8 is closed and correspond to FIGS. 3A1 and3A2. FIG. 4A2 is an enlarged view of the folded-back section 5 cvicinity (folded-back section 4 c exhibits the same behavior). At thisstage, the folded-back sections 4 c and 5 c of the shafts 4 and 5 thatare pressed by the springs 9 and 10 abut and are latched to firstabutment portions 11 b and 11 c of the stopper member 11.

Next, the barrier cover 8 is made to rise, so that when the barriercover 8 is in the state illustrated in FIGS. 4B1 and 4B2, since theshafts 4 and 5 rotate in the above-described manner, the folded-backsections 4 c and 5 c disengage from the first abutment portions 11 b and11 c of the stopper member 11. FIG. 4B2 illustrates a state in which thefolded-back section 5 c has disengaged from the first abutment portion11 c (this is the same for the folded-back section 4 c). Whendisengaged, the shafts 4 and 5 laterally move until the folded-backsections 4 c and 5 c abut second abutment portions 11 d and 11 e of thestopper member 11 owing to an urging force from the springs 9 and 10, asillustrated in FIGS. 4C1 and 4C2. In this state, since the firstabutment portions 11 b and 11 c regulate the rotation of the folded-backsections 4 c and 5 c, the shafts 4 and 5 cannot rotate back to the stateillustrated in FIGS. 4A1 and 4A2. Specifically, when the barrier cover 8rises from the state illustrated in FIGS. 4A1 and 4A2 to the stateillustrated in FIGS. 4B1 and 4B2, the barrier cover 8 automaticallymoves to the state illustrated in FIGS. 4C1 and 4C2 due to an urgingforce from the springs 9 and 10, and remains in a raised state thatcannot be made to go back.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the second abutment portions 11 d and11 e have a greater height from the rear face of the stopper member 11than the first abutment portions 11 b and 11 c. Specifically, the firstabutment portions 11 b and 11 c and the second abutment portions 11 dand 11 e form a step shape. This is because, as illustrated in FIG. 4A2,the height required for latching when the folded-back sections 4 c and 5c are abutting the second abutment portions 11 d and 11 e needs to begreater by that folded-back section amount than when the folded-backsections 4 c and 5 c abut the first abutment portions 11 b and 11 c.However, if the folded-back sections 4 c and 5 c are properly latched tothe second abutment portions 11 d and 11 e, the second abutment portions11 d and 11 e may have the same height as the first abutment portions 11b and 11 c.

Further, a beveled face 8 d is provided roughly parallel with thebeveled face 3 a provided on the front metal piece 3. Further, a barriermetal piece 12, which is formed by drawing sheet metal of stainlesssteel, for example, is adhered to and made to cover a front face of thebarrier cover 8 and the stopper member 11.

Finally, a rear cover 13 is combined with the front cover 2 and coversthe rear half section of the camera 1. Although a lens unit and otherstructural parts configuring the camera 1 are housed in that section, adescription of those units will be omitted here. The camera 1 accordingto the first exemplary embodiment is thus configured as described above.

Next, the operations for opening and closing the barrier cover 8 of thecamera 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D. FIG. 5Aillustrates a closed state of the barrier cover 8. In this closed state,the barrier cover 8 is positioned at a first position that forms acontinuous face with the front cover 2. From this state, the barriermetal piece 12 and the barrier cover 8 are pulled in a forward directionby an external force in the forward direction to protrude forward fromthe front cover 2. Then, the short-dimension shaft members 4 b and 5 bare rotated about the long-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a by apulling force, and the barrier metal piece 12 and the barrier cover 8rise from the lens aperture 2 e, so that the shafts 4 and 5 arepositioned at a second position illustrated in FIG. 5B.

FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate the state of the barrier cover 8 at thispoint. FIG. 6A illustrates a closed state of the barrier cover 8, inwhich a distance between the short-dimension shaft members 4 b and 5 bof the shafts 4 and 5 at this point is L1. FIG. 6B illustrates a statein which the barrier cover 8 has risen until an intermediate position,in which a distance L2 between the short-dimension shaft members 4 b and5 b is greater than L1. Since the barrier cover 8 and the stopper member11 have an overall arc shape as described above, the distance to bowedshort-dimension bearings 8 a and 8 b can be extended. Further, at thestate illustrated in FIG. 6C, in which the barrier cover 8 hascompletely risen, a distance L3 between the short-dimension shaftmembers 4 b and 5 b is about the same as L1. Owing to the springinessresulting from this bowing, a restoring force for returning to a L3=L1state, i.e., the restoring force for moving from the intermediateposition to the first or the second position, is obtained, so that theconfiguration is stable.

When the barrier cover 8 has risen up and reached the second positionillustrated in FIG. 5B, as described based on FIGS. 4A1 to 4C2, thelocking mechanism of the shafts 4 and 5 acts on the barrier cover 8, sothat the barrier cover 8 is maintained in a raised state like thatillustrated in FIGS. 4C1 and 4C2, and cannot be closed even if thesurface of barrier metal piece 12 is pressed. Further, at this point,since the fastening rings 6 and 7 are abutting the long-dimensionbearings 2 a and 2 b as illustrated in FIG. 3B1, the barrier cover 8 islaterally slid by the urging force from the springs 9 and 10, so thatthe shafts 4 and 5 are at a third position illustrated in FIG. 5D.

Subsequently, if the barrier metal piece 12 is laterally slid, thelong-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a of the shafts 4 and 5 slidealong the long-dimension bearings 2 a and 2 b, so that the barrier cover8 can move from the front face of the lens aperture 2 e to the frontface of the front metal piece 3. This means that a much larger movementamount can be obtained than a conventional mechanism, since asillustrated from FIGS. 3B1 and 3B2 to FIGS. 3C1 and 3C2, the folded-backsections 4 c and 5 c of the shafts 4 and 5 can be moved until they abutthe long-dimension bearing entrances 2 c and 2 d. Further, during thisoperation, since the above-described locking mechanism maintains thebarrier cover 8 in the locked state illustrated in FIGS. 4C1 and 4C2,the rear face of the barrier cover 8 does not hit the front metal piece3 even if the front face of the barrier metal piece 12 is pressed duringthe sliding operation. FIG. 5D illustrates an open state of the barriercover 8.

As another opening method, the barrier metal piece 12 may be laterallyslid from the beginning, without pulling the barrier metal piece 12 fromthe state illustrated in FIG. 5A. In this case, a beveled face 8 dprovided at the rear of the barrier cover 8 abuts the beveled face 3 aof the front metal piece 3, so that the barrier cover 8 rises at a slopealong the beveled face 3 a, thereby directly reaching the stateillustrated in FIG. 5C from FIG. 5A without going through the stateillustrated in FIG. 5B. Subsequently, the barrier metal 12 can bedirectly opened by laterally slid further across. Specifically,operability is very good, as the barrier cover 8 can be moved from thefront face of the lens aperture 2 e to the front face of the front metalpiece 3 just by laterally sliding the barrier metal piece 12.

Next, when closing the barrier cover 8, in the reverse of the above, thebarrier metal piece 12 is laterally slid to move the barrier cover 8from the front face of the front metal piece 3 to the front face of thelens aperture 2 e. Further, since the locking mechanism is maintaineduntil midway through this operation, the front face of the barrier metalpiece 12 does not sink down. Then, when the barrier cover 8 reaches thestate illustrated in FIG. 5C, since the fastening rings 6 and 7 abut thelong-dimension bearings 2 a and 2 b as illustrated in FIG. 3B, theshafts 4 and 5 cannot be slid any further, so only the barrier cover 8moves, and reaches the state illustrated in FIG. 5B. Consequently, thestate of the shafts 4 and 5 with respect to the barrier cover 8 changesfrom that illustrated in FIGS. 4C1 and 4C2 to that in FIGS. 4B1 and 4B2,so that the folded-back sections 4 c and 5 c can no longer pass over thefirst abutment portions 11 b and 11 c, and the lock is released. Fromthis stage, the barrier cover 8 can be closed by pressing the barriermetal piece 12 and the barrier cover 8 toward the lens aperture 2 e, sothat the barrier cover 8 returns to the state illustrated in FIG. 5A.

Based on the above configuration, in the first exemplary embodiment,when the barrier cover 8 is closed the barrier cover 8 can be formedintegrally with the front cover 2 to maintain the housing front face, sothat a clean and tidy appearance that is free from mechanical partssticking out can be maintained. Further, to hide the internalmechanisms, the width of the “overlap portion”, where the barrier cover8 always covers the front face of the housing even when open or closed,can be reduced to just the amount that covers the folded-back sections 4c and 5 c of the J-shaped shafts 4 and 5. This enables the movementamount of the barrier cover 8 to be greatly increased over that in theconventional example. Further, compared with the conventional example,the structure is more simple, takes up less space, and uses fewer parts,and can thus house more structural parts in a limited space. Inaddition, since the barrier cover 8 is locked when it rises from thehousing, while laterally sliding the barrier cover 8, the barrier cover8 can maintain a raised state from the front face of the front cover 2even when pressed from the front.

A camera 21 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention will now be described. The camera 21 adds a mechanism to thefirst exemplary embodiment which improves operability and stability.Parts that are the same as the first exemplary embodiment are denotedwith the same reference numerals, and parts that are new in the secondexemplary embodiment are denoted with new reference numerals.

First, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C, through holes 22 h and 23 a areprovided in a front cover 22 and a rear cover 23, and a button 24 isattached therein along with a spring 25. The button 24 can be pressedfrom a back face of the rear cover 23. The button 24 and the spring 25configure an operation unit. When the button 24 is pressed, a pressingportion 24 a presses the barrier cover 8 forward. Next, as illustratedin FIG. 8, notches 22 i and 22 j are provided in long-dimension bearingentrances 22 c and 22 d, and dust-proofing members 26 and 27 arearranged therein. The dust-proofing members 26 and 27, which are formedfrom a ring-shaped felt cloth, are constantly in contact with thelong-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a of the shafts 4 and 5. Further,gap portions 22 k and 22 l are provided between the long-dimensionbearings 22 a and 22 b. These gap portions 22 k and 22 l are set so thatthey form a gap of a predetermined size that does not come into contactwith the long-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a. More specifically,the long-dimension bearings 22 a and 22 b support the long-dimensionshaft members 4 a and 5 a at two locations, near the entrance and nearthe exit. The camera 21 also includes guide grooves 22 f and 22 g.

Since the remaining configuration is similar to the first exemplaryembodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

The camera 21 according to the second exemplary embodiment is thusconfigured as described above. Therefore, to open the barrier cover 8 ofthe camera 21, similar to the first exemplary embodiment, either thebarrier cover 8 may be pulled in the front face direction, or thebarrier cover 8 may be slid laterally from the beginning. However, evenwithout directly operating the barrier cover 8, the barrier cover 8 canbe pressed in the front face direction to open by pressing the button24. Consequently, operability can be further improved.

Subsequently, similar to the first exemplary embodiment, the barriercover 8 can be moved to the front face of the front metal piece 3 bylaterally sliding the barrier cover 8. During this operation, since thedust-proofing members 26 and 27 are arranged at the entrance of thelong-dimension bearings 22 a and 22 b, dust and foreign objects adheringto the long-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a can be prevented fromentering the long-dimension bearings 22 a and 22 b, so that the slidingproperties improve. Further, since the dust-proofing members 26 and 27are formed from felt cloth, sliding properties can be further improvedby wetting the cloth with a lubricant so that each time the barriercover 8 is made to slide the long-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a ofthe shafts 4 and 5 are coated with the lubricant. In addition, since thegap portions 22 k and 22 l are provided between the long-dimension shaftmembers 4 a and 5 a so as to not come into contact with thelong-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a, the contact surface area withthe long-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a can be decreased, andforeign objects and sliding debris can be allowed to escape or beremoved, so that the sliding properties are even further improved.

A camera 31 according to a third exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention will now be described. The camera 31 relates to an inventioncharacterized by, in addition to the features of the first exemplaryembodiment, features other than operation of the barrier main body, suchas a switch operation associated with opening and closing of the barriercover 8, and a latching means for supporting the barrier cover 8 in anopen state. Parts that are the same as the first exemplary embodimentare denoted with the same reference numerals, and parts that are new inthe third exemplary embodiment are denoted with new reference numerals.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the camera 31 according to the thirdexemplary embodiment. First, a front cover 32 that covers the front halfof the camera 31 is formed from a resin material. Further, twolong-dimension bearings 32 a and 32 b for a shaft to pass through areformed in a similar manner as the front cover 2 according to the firstexemplary embodiment. In addition, the front metal piece 3, which isformed by drawing sheet metal of stainless steel, for example, isadhered to and made to cover the front face of the front cover 32.

FIG. 10 illustrates the two shafts 4 and 5 in detail. The two shafts 4and 5 are formed by bending a rod material having a circularcross-section at folded-back sections 4 c and 5 c to form a shape thatis roughly like the letter “J”, so that the long-dimension shaft members4 a and 5 a and short-dimension shaft members 4 b and 5 b are positionedparallel to each other. Near the tips 4 e and 5 e of the long-dimensionshaft members 4 a and 5 a are formed fastening grooves 4 d and 5 d, andsmall-diameter faces 4 g and 5 g, which are one step narrower than thediameter of beveled faces 4 f and 5 f and the shafts 4 and 5. However,the shape of the two shafts 4 and 5 is not exactly the same. The lengthof one of the tips 4 e and 5 e of the long-dimension shaft members 4 aand 5 a is longer than the other. The lengths are made different inorder to desirably control the operation timing of the below-describedswitch.

Next, the barrier cover 8 that covers the front face of the lensaperture will be described. The barrier cover 8, which is formed from anelastic resin material, is provided with two short-dimension bearings 8a and 8 b. Springs 9 and 10 having the same shape and theshort-dimension shaft members 4 b and 5 b of the shafts 4 and 5 areinserted in the short-dimension bearings 8 a and 8 b. Since the shafts 4and 5 come off from the barrier cover 8 if pressed on by the springs 9and 10, to prevent this, in the first exemplary embodiment the stoppermember 11 was attached.

However, in the third exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 16A,stopper strength is increased by forming stopper members 8 e and 8 fintegrally with the barrier cover 8. However, by integrally forming thestopper members 8 e and 8 f with the barrier cover 8, theshort-dimension bearings 8 a and 8 b provided in the barrier cover 8need to be removed from the mold in the arrow direction illustrated inFIG. 16B. Consequently, the short-dimension bearings 8 a and 8 b canonly be formed in a semicircular arc shape, so that the bearing effectdeteriorates. To prevent this, a configuration is employed that guidesthe remaining portion of the semicircular arc shape with auxiliarybearings 8 g and 8 h.

These auxiliary bearings 8 g and 8 h are integrally fixed to the barriercover 8 by adhesion. Further, sliding members 34 a and 34 b are pastedon a face on an inner side of the barrier cover 8 to make it moredifficult for sliding scratches to form on the front metal piece 3 whenopening and closing the barrier cover 8. The sliding members 34 a and 34b are formed from a material such as felt or a high molecular polymer toincrease the anti-scratching effect. The barrier metal piece 12, whichis formed by drawing sheet metal of stainless steel, for example, isadhered to and made to cover the front face of the barrier cover 8.

Finally, the camera 31 includes a rear cover 33, which is combined withthe front cover 32 and covers the rear half section of the camera 31.Although a lens unit and other structural parts configuring the camera31 are housed in that section, a description of those units will beomitted here.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are enlarged exploded views of the camera 31 accordingto the third exemplary embodiment from two angles. Two spring housingportions 32 c and 32 d are formed in a front cover 32. Springs 42 and 52are respectively housed in the spring housing portions 32 c and 32 dalong with sliders 41 and 51, which are intermediate members. Further,cover members 43 and 53, which make sure that the springs 42 and 52 andthe sliders 41 and 51 do not fall out, cover the spring housing portions32 c and 32 d by engaging with screws 44 and 54 and a claw. At thispoint, the two sliders 41 and 51 are slidably attached while being urgedin the direction of the shafts 4 and 5 by the two springs 42 and 52. Inaddition, protruding members 32 e and 32 f and 32 g and 32 h are formedon the front cover 32. Although described in more detail below, theseprotruding members are formed so that each pair engages with one of thetwo shafts 4 and 5 respectively according to straight-line movement ofthe two shafts 4 and 5.

Next, in FIGS. 11A and 11B, a wiring board 61 is illustrated in asee-through state. Two switches 62 and 63 are mounted on the wiringboard 61. These two switches 62 and 63 are moved in conjunction withstraight-line movement of the shafts 4 and 5 to execute ON/OFF operationvia the sliders 41 and 51. More specifically, switch on and off of thetwo switches 62 and 63 is executed in conjunction with the opening andclosing operation of the barrier cover 8. The camera 31 according to thethird exemplary embodiment is thus configured as described above.

Next, operation of the respective members that are moved in conjunctionwith the opening and closing operation of the barrier cover 8 and thestate of the switches 62 and 63 will be described. Since the operationof the barrier cover 8 per se is the same as described in the firstexemplary embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted here.

First, when the movement of the barrier cover 8 in the opening directionis started from a state in which the barrier cover 8 is closed, thebarrier cover 8 reaches the state illustrated in FIG. 12. At this point,the barrier cover 8 is about ¾ open, and the tips 4 e and 5 e of thelong-dimension shaft members 4 a and 5 a of the shafts 4 and 5 are nearthe sliders 41 and 51. In this state, neither of the tips 4 e or 5 e ofthe shafts 4 and 5 have pressed the sliders 41 or 51, so that the twoswitches are both still in an OFF state. This state is the same as thestate illustrated in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 illustrates the relationship between the ON/OFF state of the twoswitches 62 and 63 and the open amount of the barrier cover 8. In FIG.14, position (A) corresponds to the state of FIG. 13(A). Similarly,positions (B) to (D) correspond to the states of FIGS. 13(B) to 13(D).Based on FIG. 14, it can be seen that at position (A) the two switches62 and 63 are OFF. Further, while the barrier cover 8 is opening from acompletely closed state to about ¾ open, only the shafts 4 and 5 aremoving in tandem in a straight line, so that no actions have beenperformed on the internal parts before this point.

From this state, when the barrier cover 8 is opened further and reachesthe position illustrated in FIG. 13B, the tip 4 e of the shaft 4 stillhas not reached the slider 41, so the switch 62 is still in an OFFstate. On the other hand, since the tip 5 e of the other shaft 5 islonger than the tip 4 e of the shaft 4, the tip 5 e has reached a shaftabutment face 51 a of the slider 51. Consequently, the slider 51 ismoved in the right direction in FIGS. 13A to 13B against urging by thespring 52. However, in this state, a rib 51 b extending from the slider51 has just started to come into contact with a knob 63 a of the switch63, so that the switch 63 is still in an OFF state. From FIG. 14, it canalso be seen that at position (B) the two switches 62 and 63 are bothstill in an OFF state.

When the barrier cover 8 is opened even further and reaches the stateillustrated in FIG. 13C, the tip 4 e of the shaft 4 finally starts tocome into contact with a shaft abutment face 41 a of the slider 41.However, in this state, a rib 41 b extending from the slider 41 is notin contact with a knob 62 a of the switch 62, so that the switch 62 isstill in an OFF state. On the other hand, the tip 5 e of the other shaft5 pushes the shaft abutment face 51 a of the slider 51 further in theright direction in FIGS. 13A to 13C. At a predetermined timing while thebarrier cover 8 is opening, the knob 63 a of the switch 63 is toppledover by the rib 51 b extended from the slider 51. Consequently, theswitch 63 is switched ON.

When the barrier cover 8 is opened even further from the stateillustrated in FIG. 13C and reaches the position illustrated in FIG.13D, the tip 4 e of the shaft 4 reaches the shaft abutment face 41 a ofthe slider 41. Consequently, the slider 41 is moved in the rightdirection in FIGS. 13A to 13D against urging by the spring 52. At thispoint, the rib 41 b extending from the slider 41 has toppled the knob 62a of the switch 62, so that the switch 62 is in an ON state. On theother hand, the tip 5 e of the other shaft 5 moves the slider 51 furtherto the right from the state illustrated in FIG. 13C. At this point, therib 51 b extending from the slider 51 has gone past the knob 63 a of theswitch 63, so the knob 63 a of the switch 63 reverts to an intermediateposition, and the switch 63 again is in an OFF state. Further, at thisposition, the face on the opposite side of the face abutting the shafts4 and 5 of the shaft abutment faces 41 a and 51 a of the two sliders 41and 51 is abutting the front cover 32, so the barrier cover 8 cannotopen any further than this. Specifically, this means that the barriercover 8 is fully open.

Next, the behavior of the switches 62 and 63 when the barrier cover 8 isclosed from a fully open state will be described. The actual operationsat this time are illustrated in FIGS. 13A to 13D in order of FIGS. 13D,13C′, 13B′, and 13A. FIGS. 13C′ and 13B′ mentioned here illustrate astate in which the barrier cover 8 is at the same position as in FIGS.13C and 13B. From these diagrams, it can be seen that the operation ofswitch 62 is the complete reverse of the operations performed when thebarrier cover 8 was opening. Therefore, in the state illustrated in FIG.13C′, the rib 41 b of the slider 41 has started to retreat from the knob62 a of the switch 62, so that the switch 62 that was ON when thebarrier cover 8 was fully open is OFF. Subsequently, in FIGS. 13B′ and13A, the barrier cover 8 is closed while the switch 62 is maintained inan OFF state.

When trying to move the barrier cover 8 in a closing direction from thisstate, because the protruding members 32 e and 32 f and 32 g and 32 hhave to overcome the outer form of the shafts 4 and 5, a load is appliedon the protruding members in the direction of closing the barrier cover8. FIG. 14 illustrates this click force. In FIG. 14, when moving from(D), which is a state in which the barrier cover 8 is fully open, toward(C), which is when the barrier cover 8 has begun to close a little, theclick force is large, which corresponds to the above-described load.Based on this load, a supporting force for a state in which the barriercover 8 is open can be produced. Further, in the third exemplaryembodiment, care is taken so that the opening and closing operation feelof the barrier cover 8 is not harmed by matching the timing of the twoshafts 4 and 5 so that a uniform load is placed on the shafts 4 and 5.

As described above, the switch operations required to switch from anon-usage state to a usage state of the camera 31, and the reverseoperations therefor, i.e., output of the signals instructing startup andstoppage of the main power supply, and the extension and retraction ofthe lens unit are performed based on only opening and closing of thebarrier cover 8. Further, since the switch operations and the supportingmechanism of the barrier cover 8 are configured via the just the tips ofthe shafts, the coupling section between the main body of the camera 31and the barrier unit formed from the barrier cover 8 is configured justby the two shafts 4 and 5. There is no need to provide separate partsjust for the switch operations. Moreover, since there is no need toprovide unnecessary protrusions or holes on the exterior, deteriorationin the appearance level can also be suppressed. In addition, since theswitches 62 and 63 are each individually operated by the respective tipsof two shafts, it is easy to set desired switch operation timing.

Next, the switch 63 will be described. FIG. 14 also illustrates thestate of the switch 63 when the barrier cover 8 is closed, as can beseen from FIG. 14, the switch 63 is always in an OFF state when closingthe barrier cover 8. This is because when the barrier cover 8 was fullyopen, the rib 51 b extended from the slider 51 had gone past the knob 63a of the switch 63. Consequently, when closing the barrier cover 8, asillustrated in FIGS. 13C′ and 13B′, the rib 51 b extended from theslider 51 topples the knob 63 a of the switch 63 from the opposite side.Due to this difference, when closing the barrier cover 8, the switch 63is configured so as not to be ON. Subsequently, after the stateillustrated in FIG. 13A, i.e., the state at which the rib 51 b extendedfrom the slider 51 has gone past the knob 63 a of the switch 63, and theknob 63 a of the switch 63 has returned to an intermediate position, theswitch 63 is OFF until the barrier cover 8 is closed.

Although a configuration was described in which the tips 4 e and 5 e ofthe shafts 4 and 5 operate the switches 62 and 63 via the sliders 41 and51, respectively, this is so as to reliably operate the switches 62 and63 by the action of the tips 4 e and 5 e of the shafts 4 and 5. Thereason for this is because if the tips 4 e and 5 e of the shafts 4 and 5are used to directly operate the knobs 62 a and 63 a of the switches 62and 63, these parts may fail to contact each other since the tips 4 eand 5 e of the shafts 4 and 5 are small and round, and the knobs 62 aand 63 a of the switches 62 and 63 are also small. Based on the aboveconfiguration, the reliability of the operation of the switches 62 and63 can be increased.

Further, as a means for making the operation timing of the two switches62 and 63 different from each other, it can be understood from the abovedescription that this could be achieved by changing the lengths of thetips 4 e and 5 e of the shafts 4 and 5. However, the ON timing of theswitches 62 and 63 can also be made to be different by changing theposition of the sliders 41 and 51 or the position of the switches 62 and63 with the shafts 4 and 5 having the same shape. In this case, sincethis operation needs to be tailored to the longer shaft, both the shaftsbecome longer, so that there is still the problem that the camera 31becomes larger. Thus, this technique is not employed in the thirdexemplary embodiment of the present invention. If there is some leewayin the size of the camera 31, obviously the two shafts may bestandardized.

These two switches 62 and 63, which switch between ON and OFF inconjunction with the opening and closing operation of the barrier cover8, are mounted on the wiring board 61, and output a signal to a (notillustrated) camera system. As described above, the operation timing forswitching these switches 62 and 630N and OFF is illustrated in FIG. 14.However, causing this operation timing to occur is important. The outputsignals of the switches 62 and 63 and the timing of such signals willnow be described below.

When opening the barrier cover 8 from a closed state, as describedabove, the switch 63 switches ON before the switch 62. Further, thisswitch 63 is a main power switch, so that by switching the switch 630Nthe camera system starts up. Specifically, even if the switch 62 wasswitched ON before the switch 63, the camera 31 system would no startup, and thus the output signal from the switch 62 would not berecognized. Consequently, the configuration is designed so that theswitch 63 is switched ON before the switch 62.

However, on the other hand, since current is flowing through the camerasystem while the switch 63 is ON, the switch 63 needs to be OFF when thebarrier cover 8 is fully open. Consequently, the configuration isdesigned so that the switch 63 is switched OFF at the positionillustrated in FIG. 13D. Based on this configuration, the problem ofcurrent continuing to flow in the camera system can be avoided.

The other switch 62 transmits the fact that the barrier cover 8 is fullyopen or almost fully open to the camera system, which then instructs a(not illustrated) retractable lens barrel that can extend and retract toextend to an extended position, which is a usage state, from a retractedstate, which is a storage state. FIG. 15 illustrates the ON and OFFstates of the switch 62 and the operation timing for extension andretraction of the lens unit. In FIG. 15, position (a) is the open amountat which the barrier cover 8 starts to no longer suffer frominterference from the extension of the lens unit. When the barrier cover8 is open from this position and further, there is no interferencebetween the lens unit and the barrier cover 8 even if the lens unit isextended.

The switch 62 is switched ON at a timing that is after the position (α)in FIG. 15. When the signal input from the switch 62 is received, thelens unit is extended. Consequently, a collision between the barriercover 8 and the lens unit caused by the lens unit being extended beforethe barrier cover 8 is opened can be avoided.

On the other hand, when the barrier cover 8 is closed from a fully openstate, first, the switch 62 switches from an ON state to an OFF state.The camera system receives this signal input, and houses the lens unitin the retracted position. At this point, the barrier cover 8 is stillnot closed to the position (α) in FIG. 15. Consequently, a collisionbetween the barrier cover 8 and the lens unit caused by the barriercover 8 being closed before the lens unit has been collapsed can beavoided. Further, the camera system receives the signal that the switch62 has switched to an OFF state, then starts a shutdown operation andthe main power of the camera transits to OFF state.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 13B′, although the knob 63 a of the switch63 has been toppled over from the opposite direction from that whenopening the barrier cover, as described above, the switch 63 isconfigured not to be switched ON. Even if some other signal is output,because the power has already been shut down, that output signal willnot be recognized by the camera system. More specifically, when closingthe barrier cover 8, the configuration can be designed only by thesignal from the switch 62.

Next, a supporting mechanism when the barrier cover 8 is in an openstate will be described. As stated above and as illustrated in FIGS.11A, 11B, and 12, two pairs of protruding members, 32 e and 32 f and 32g and 32 h, are provided on the front cover 32. When the barrier cover 8is fully open, i.e., in the state illustrated in FIG. 13D, two pairs ofprotruding members, 32 e and 32 f, engages with the small-diameter faces4 g, which is one step narrower than the diameter of the shaft 4.Further, the other pair of protruding members, 32 g and 32 h, engageswith the small-diameter faces 4 g, which is one step narrower than thediameter of the other shaft 5.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Applications No.2011-096225 filed Apr. 22, 2011 and No. 2011-096226 filed Apr. 22, 2011,which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a front coverwhich covers a front face of an apparatus; a barrier cover which ismovable between an open state and a close state, wherein if the barriercover is in the open state, the barrier cover overlaps the front coverand, wherein if the barrier cover is in the closed state, the frontcover and barrier cover form a continuous face; two shafts whichattaches the barrier cover to the front cover so that the barrier covermoves in a forward direction and in a lateral direction, wherein each ofthe two shafts has a long part and a short part that are parallel toeach other, and a folded-back section which connects the long and shortparts, and wherein the one of the two shafts is positioned at an upperedge of the front cover and the barrier cover, and the other of the twoshafts is positioned at a lower edge of the front cover and the barriercover; and a locking unit configured to lock the barrier cover in theopen state.
 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein thelong part is supported rotatably and slidably in the lateral directionon a long part bearing portion of the front cover, wherein the shortpart is supported rotatably on a short part bearing portion of thebarrier cover, and wherein the long part and short part guide thebarrier cover from the closed state to the open state by rotating aboutthe long part so that the short part protrude out from a front face ofthe front cover and moving by lateral slide of the long parts withrespect to the long part bearing portion.
 3. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the short part of the shafts are attachedto the short part bearing portions of the barrier cover, wherein twosprings are provided in the short part bearing portions respectively,wherein if the barrier cover is in the closed state, the springs arecharged respectively, and wherein if the barrier cover is in the openstate, urging forces of the springs are released respectively.
 4. Theelectronic device according to claim 2, further comprising: twodust-proofing members which are arranged at an entrance of the long partbearing portions of the front cover respectively, wherein dust-proofingmembers are in contact with the long part of the shafts respectively. 5.The electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the dust-proofingmembers are lubricated with a lubricant.
 6. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the locking unit has a spring which urgesthe barrier cover toward the open state, and a stopper member whichcontacts the barrier cover in the open state, and wherein if the barriercover which is in the open state moves against urging force from thespring, the locking unit releases locking of the barrier cover.
 7. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein if the barrier cover isin the closed state, the front cover and the barrier cover are incontact at an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to thefront face of the apparatus, and wherein if the barrier cover moves fromthe closed state, the barrier cover moves in the forward direction alongthe inclined surface.
 8. The electronic device according to claim 1,further comprising: a switch which detects movement of the long part ofthe shaft.
 9. The electronic device according to claim 8, furthercomprising: a click force providing unit which provides click force in acase when the barrier cover is in open state, wherein the switch detectswhether a tip of the long part of one of the two shafts reaches apredetermined position, and wherein the click force providing unitprovides maximum click force after the switch detects that the tip ofthe long part reaches the predetermined position.
 10. The electronicdevice according to claim 9, wherein a small-diameter portion is formedon the tip of the long part of one of the two shafts, wherein the clickforce providing unit has a protruding portion arranged on the frontcover along a movement path of the tip of the long part, and wherein theclick force is provided when the protruding portion engages with thesmall-diameter portion.
 11. The electronic device according to claim 1,further comprising: a first switch which detects movement of the longpart of one of the two shafts; a second switch which detects movement ofthe long part of the other of the two shafts, wherein a detection timingof the first switch and a detection timing of the second switch aredifferent from each other.
 12. The electronic device according to claim11, wherein length of the long part of one of the two shafts and lengthof the long part of the other of the two shafts are different from eachother.
 13. An electronic device comprising: a cover member whichprovides a front face of the apparatus; a barrier member which ismovable between an open state and a close state; a first shaft memberwhich has a first long part and a first short part that are parallel toeach other, and a first folded-back part which connects the first longpart and the first short part; and a second shaft member which has asecond long part and a second short part that are parallel to eachother, and a second folded-back part which connects the second long partand the second short part, wherein the first long part of the firstshaft member and the second long part of the second shaft member areengaged with the cover member, wherein the first short part of the firstshaft member and the second short part of the second shaft member areengaged with the barrier member, wherein the first shaft member isarranged at one side of the electronic device, and the second shaftmember is arranged at the other side of the electronic device, whereinin a case when the barrier member is in the close state, the covermember and barrier member are formed a continuous face, and wherein in acase when the barrier member is in the open state, the cover member andbarrier member are overlapped each other.
 14. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein the barrier member is moved form theclose state to an intermediate state whereby the barrier member is movedtoward a direction which is far from a front surface of the cover memberwhen the barrier member is in the close state, and wherein the barriermember is moved from the intermediate state to the open state wherebythe barrier member is slid along the first long part of the first shaftmember and the second long part of the second shaft member.
 15. Theelectronic device according to claim 13, further comprising: a stoppermember which restricts movement of the barrier member in the closestate, wherein in a case when the barrier member is in the close state,a first portion of the stopper member contacts at least one of the firstshaft member and the second shaft member, and wherein in a case when thebarrier member is in the open state, a second portion of the stoppermember contacts at least one of the first shaft member and the secondshaft member, and wherein the first portion of the stopper member andthe second portion of the stopper member are different from each other.16. The electronic device according to claim 13, further comprising: anurging member which urges at least one of the first short part of thefirst shaft member and the second short part of the second shaft member,and wherein in a case when the barrier member is in the close state, theurging member is charged.
 17. The electronic device according to claim13, further comprising: a position detector which detects position ofthe barrier member, wherein the position detector detects position ofthe first long part or position of the second long part.
 18. Theelectronic device according to claim 13, wherein the cover member has afirst long part engagement portion and a second long part engagementportion, wherein the first long part of the first shaft member isengaged with the first long part engagement portion so that the firstlong part of the first shaft member is rotatably and slidably, whereinthe second long part of the second shaft member is engaged with thesecond long part engagement portion so that the second long part of thesecond shaft member is rotatably and slidably, wherein the barriermember has a first short part engagement portion and a second short partengagement portion, wherein the first short part of the first shaftmember is engaged with the first short part engagement portion so thatthe first short part of the first shaft member is rotatably andslidably, and wherein the second short part of the second shaft memberis engaged with the second short part engagement portion so that thesecond short part of the second shaft member is rotatably and slidably.19. electronic device according to claim 18, wherein in a case when thebarrier member is in the close state, the first short part engagementportion is located outside from the first long part engagement portionof the cover member and the second short part engagement portion islocated outside from the second long part engagement portion of thecover member.
 20. The electronic device according to claim 18, whereinthe barrier member is moved form the close state to an intermediatestate whereby the first long part of the first shaft member is rotatedin the first long part engagement portion and the second long part ofthe second shaft member is rotated in the second long part engagementportion so that the barrier member is moved toward a direction which isfar from a front surface of the cover member when the barrier member isin the close state, and wherein the barrier member is moved form theintermediate state to the open state whereby the first long part of thefirst shaft member is slid in the first long part engagement portion andthe second long part of the second shaft member is slid in the secondlong part engagement portion so that the barrier member is slid alongthe first long part of the first shaft member and the second long partof the second shaft member.
 21. The electronic device according to claim18, further comprising: a stopper member which restricts movement of thebarrier member in the close state, wherein in a case when the barriermember is in the close state, a first portions of the stopper membercontact the first shaft member and the second shaft member, and whereinin a case when the barrier member is in the open state, a secondportions of the stopper member contact the first shaft member and thesecond shaft member, and wherein the first portions of the stoppermember and the second portions of the stopper member are different fromeach other.
 22. The electronic device according to claim 18, furthercomprising: an first urging member which is arranged in the first shortpart engagement portion, an second urging member which is arranged inthe second short part engagement portion, and wherein in a case when thebarrier member is in the close state, the first urging member and thesecond urging member is charged.